Chapter 5

“Like that?” Sean pointed on a statue near the side of the stairs. Louise ran towards the second floor landing while shouting.

The attention of the people that was guarding outside the library was caught with Louise’s voice. “That was one loud shout Louise.” Troy said to himself while staring on the book he is reading.

There are still students outside the library waiting for tomorrow to come. The student officers are also outside camping out to guard the front door of the library.

Sean followed Louise to the second floor and saw the girl sitting in the second floor landing while bowing her head.

“Calm down Louise. I was just pointing at a statue.” Sean patted her back. He felt guilty doing it to her. Louise calmed herself because there was nothing Sean is pointing to. He just pointed to scare the girl.

“I hate you!” She hit Sean in the arms multiple times but Sean just laughed. After a while, Louise stopped because it seems like it was just nothing for Sean. She turned away and walked even if she’s just ignoring how she feels.

“You look pretty when you’re scared.” Sean whispered. Louise instantly glared at him and said “What did you just said?”

“Nothing. Let’s continue finding the box.” and acted like he’s trying to find it.

“Let’s go on different directions.” He suggested that made Louise feel more nervous about the idea.

“No!” she instantly disagrees.

“Are you that attached to me? ”

“You are so confident on yourself. Sorry to tell you but I’m not.”

“I was just hoping, okay? Or are you scared?” Sean teased. Louise couldn’t answer instantly that’s why she just walks out.

“Oh Ms. President is a sensitive type.” Sean said and followed Louise to continue searching.

They are now walking at the right side of the second floor. Louise is still in front while Sean is just following her.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sean asked for the nth time. Louise looks paler than earlier and looks like she’s having difficulties in breathing that made Sean worry.

“You have so many questions. Just search, okay? You’re just following me.” She continued searching. At this point she thought if there is really a red box just what the others instructed. “Does the other contestant also succeeded in this?” she asked herself.

“How can you say that I’m following you?” Sean asked back.

“Duh? You’re always behind me that is why….” Louise paused and observed the surroundings because she heard some noises from the shelves. She suddenly shouted and accidentally hugged Sean.

“So, you’re also a clingy type Ms. President,huh?” Louise instantly pulled away and stood up straight. Sean just looked at the girl with a playful smile.

“I’m sorry about that.” A quick respond from Louise and she fixed herself and asked “Is it really true that there are ghosts here?”.

“What nonsense is that? Do you actually believe those stories?”

“I was just asking. Do not be too cranky.”

“You are the one who is always cranky” Sean answered.

“Me? Excuse me…”

Sean cut of Louise before saying something and said “It was just a rat that made the books fall from the shelves. No need to be scared.” and he walk towards the terrace facing the ground floor of the library and sat on the floor. “If I were you, I would suggest we just rest for the night. Maybe there’s no red box with admission slips after all inside this library.” Louise did not buy it and continued searching for the box in tables nearby.

“You know what, I suggest that you just take a rest. I noticed that you’re pale since we entered the library and you don’t seem to be having difficulties in breathing. And besides it’s already 7 pm. Maybe you’ll collapse somewhere here and we will be the one who will search for you.” Louise stopped and looks at Sean that’s already sitting on the floor. He patted the spot beside him to signal Louise to sit there.

The lights suddenly turned off that made Louise ran towards Sean. She figured out that she was leaning towards the guy and instantly stands up and accidentally hit their heads.

“I’m sorry…” Louise held the spot where she hit Sean’s head.

Sean hold Louise’s hand and said “It’s okay… It doesn’t hurt. Don’t worry about it.” Louise looked at Sean and locked their gazes with each other. They can still see each other a bit since there is a glass ceiling above the terrace where the moonlight can shine.

They looked away and an awkward silence followed. Louise slowly sat beside Sean. She moved a bit so that there will be a space between them. She just looked at the floor and realizes how chaotic this situation is. This has made her feel worried about being locked in a room plus a guy whom she’s not even close with. He turned to Sean’s direction and saw that he was closing his eyes like he was sleeping.

Moments later, tears fell down from Louise’s eyes that she was holding back from the start of the challenge. She was nervous from the start and cannot breathe properly because she is not comfortable with the place. She was sobbing.

She didn’t notice Sean standing in front of her. She lifted her head because she noticed there was a pair of shoes in front of her. Sean squatted to level her face with Louise’s and extended his hand with a handkerchief. “I think you need this.” He said with a concerned smile.